• The scale and consequences of cardiovascular disease reinforce why innovation in this space remains essential.
• The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors illustrates the scale of the issue.
• Cardio Diagnostics is addressing this need through its proprietary platform, which combines artificial intelligence with multi-omic biomarker analysis.

Cardiovascular disease continues to place a profound burden on individuals, economies and healthcare systems worldwide, affecting millions of lives while driving substantial medical costs and resource demands. Cardio Diagnostics Holdings (NASDAQ: CDIO) is committed to reducing the impact of heart disease by developing a platform that integrates artificial intelligence and epigenetic and genetic biomarkers to deliver personalized cardiovascular insights from a simple blood sample, positioning itself at the intersection of precision medicine and preventive care.

The scale and consequences of cardiovascular disease reinforce why innovation in this space remains essential. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately one in every three deaths, one person dying every 34 seconds. 

Beyond mortality, the economic burden is substantial. The CDC reports that heart disease and stroke place a significant economic burden on the United States, with combined costs reaching approximately $233.3 billion annually in healthcare expenses and an additional $184.6 billion in lost productivity, underscoring the broad financial impact of cardiovascular disease. On a global scale, the World Health Organization estimates that cardiovascular diseases are responsible for roughly 17.9 million deaths annually, underscoring the widespread nature of the challenge.

These figures reflect not only the human toll but also the strain placed on healthcare infrastructure and public health systems. High rates of hospitalization, long-term treatment requirements and chronic disease management contribute to rising costs and resource utilization. This environment has accelerated the shift toward preventive care and early detection, as healthcare systems seek to reduce downstream complications and improve overall efficiency.

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors further illustrates the scale of the issue. Data from the CDC indicate that more than 34% of adults in the United States have at least one major risk factor, such as high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol, with an estimated 28% of adults having two or more risk factors. These factors can significantly increase the likelihood of cardiovascular events if left unmanaged. These risk factors often develop gradually and may remain undetected until more serious complications arise, creating a clear need for improved screening and monitoring approaches.

Cardio Diagnostics is addressing this need through its proprietary platform, which combines artificial intelligence with multi-omic biomarker analysis. The company’s offerings integrate epigenetic markers, including DNA methylation, with genetic data to generate individualized cardiovascular risk assessments. This approach aligns with the broader movement toward precision medicine, where healthcare decisions are increasingly guided by a patient’s unique molecular profile rather than generalized population-based metrics.

A key differentiator of Cardio Diagnostics’ technology is its focus on epigenetics, which captures how environmental and lifestyle factors influence gene expression over time. Unlike static genetic information, epigenetic markers can change in response to external influences, offering a dynamic view of disease risk. This is particularly relevant in cardiovascular disease, where factors such as diet, stress and environmental exposures play a significant role in disease development. By incorporating these signals into its analytical framework, the company aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular health.

Artificial intelligence serves as the analytical engine behind this platform. Machine learning algorithms can process complex, high-dimensional datasets to identify patterns associated with disease risk and progression. This capability allows for more refined risk stratification and supports earlier, more targeted interventions. As healthcare systems increasingly prioritize predictive and preventive care, tools that can translate complex biological data into actionable insights are becoming increasingly valuable.

The company’s blood-based testing approach further enhances its potential impact. Blood tests are widely used in clinical practice and are easy to administer, making them well suited for large-scale testing and ongoing monitoring. By leveraging a simple blood draw, Cardio Diagnostics’ tests can be integrated into routine healthcare workflows, facilitating broader adoption and enabling more consistent assessment of cardiovascular risk.

In this broader context of rising disease burden and increasing healthcare costs, the importance of early detection and prevention becomes even more apparent. Clinical tests that enable earlier identification of risk, such as those developed by Cardio Diagnostics, have the potential to play a meaningful role in achieving these goals.

For more information, visit www.CDIO.ai.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CDIO are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CDIO

Disseminated on behalf of Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) and may include paid advertising.

• The company has identified priority exploration zones at its Atikokan Rare Earth Property in northwestern Ontario following integrated geochemical and geophysical analysis.
• Soil, rock, and sediment sampling returned consistent rare earth element (“REE”) anomalies, supporting a structurally controlled mineralization model rather than isolated surface occurrences.
• The next exploration phase is expected to include additional field studies and potentially initial drilling campaigns to test whether anomalies translate into continuous mineralized zones.
• Rising global demand for REEs in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defense systems, and advanced electronics is increasing investor focus on domestic North American supply.
• China’s continued dominance in rare earth mining and processing has added strategic importance to early-stage Canadian projects such as Atikokan.

Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF), a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on rare earth projects across North America, is narrowing its exploration focus at the Atikokan Rare Earth Property in northwestern Ontario, as the company moves from broad early-stage sampling toward more defined drill targets in a market increasingly focused on secure domestic supply of rare earth elements.

At Atikokan, the company combined results from rock, soil, and sediment sampling with airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys completed during 2025. The objective was to determine whether REE mineralization was broadly dispersed or concentrated along identifiable geological structures. The company said interpretation of geochemical assays and airborne geophysical surveys has helped identify structurally concentrated target zones where mineralization may be more likely to support future development (https://ibn.fm/vwz7s).

The Atikokan property consists of 455 unpatented mining claims and is one of the company’s more advanced projects in terms of integrated exploration work. Powermax also holds rare earth projects in British Columbia and Wyoming, including the Cameron REE property and the Ogden Bear Lodge Project.

Management said the results point toward a structurally controlled system. Two distinct geological environments were identified across the property. The Dashwa Gneiss Complex, covering Blocks B and C, has been prioritized for follow-up exploration, while the White Otter Batholith, known as Block A, has been assigned lower priority due to weaker geochemical relationships and more diffuse mineralization patterns.

The distinction is based largely on sampling results. Rock samples returned total rare earth oxide, or TREO, values ranging from 19.1 to 503.3 parts per million, with several results above 200 ppm. Soil samples showed values reaching 615.8 ppm, while sediment samples indicated downstream dispersion of REE-bearing material. These figures are typical of early-stage exploration systems, but the significance lies less in the headline values and more in how the anomalies cluster across the property.

According to the company, elevated REE values appear linked to structural corridors, shear zones, and lithological contacts; features that often act as pathways for mineralizing fluids. That supports a model where rare earth mineralization is concentrated along deformation zones rather than spread evenly across the project.

Geologists also identified geochemical associations between rare earth elements, thorium, and uranium, which are commonly used as pathfinder indicators in REE exploration. The presence of minerals such as monazite and allanite, both known hosts for light rare earth elements, adds support to that working model.

The 2025 technical program included airborne surveys flown at 50-metre line spacing, along with mapping, prospecting, and systematic sampling on the ground. A total of 426 samples were collected and analyzed by AGAT Laboratories using sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-OES/MS methods for near-total digestion of rare earth content. Quality control procedures included blanks, duplicates, and standards designed to improve reliability and consistency across the dataset.

The next phase of work is expected to focus on refining these targets through additional field studies and potentially initial drilling campaigns. The company noted that drilling will be necessary to determine whether the identified surface anomalies represent continuous mineralized zones with economic potential rather than isolated occurrences.

The findings come as the global demand for rare earth elements is anticipated to rise sharply over the next decade, driven by electric vehicles, wind turbines, military systems, and advanced electronics. Industry forecasts suggest global demand could triple from 59,000 tonnes in 2022 to 176,000 tonnes by 2035.

At the same time, supply remains highly concentrated. China controls roughly 60% of global rare earth mining and about 90% of processing capacity, giving it significant influence over pricing and supply chains. Export restrictions on certain critical minerals have added urgency to North American efforts to diversify supply.

Governments in both Canada and the United States have responded with policy support. In the U.S., mechanisms such as the Defense Production Act have been used to direct more than US$1 billion toward critical mineral development, while Canadian projects may benefit from cross-border funding eligibility and strategic partnerships.

That policy backdrop means early-stage exploration assets are increasingly being evaluated not only on geology, but also on their potential role in securing domestic supply chains. For Powermax, Atikokan sits directly within that discussion.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PowermaxMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWMXF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PWMXF

Exploration Target Cautionary Statement

The exploration targets discussed are conceptual, and there is currently not enough data to confirm a mineral resource. Further exploration may not yield successful results.

Disseminated on behalf of Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSX.V: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF)and may include paid advertising.

• The mining industry is increasingly focused on bolt-on deposits, near-mine expansion, and district-scale consolidation as reserve depletion accelerates
• West Santa Fe is only about 13 km from Lahontan’s flagship Santa Fe Mine project, positioning it as a potential high-value satellite deposit
• Recent drill operations confirm strong mineralization and a large surface footprint measuring about 500 x 350m, supporting long-term project scalability

As global reserve depletion continues to pressure the mining industry, companies are shifting their strategy away from expensive, standalone discoveries and toward scalable satellite deposits that can be developed alongside existing operations. The industry is increasingly prioritizing bolt-on deposits, district-scale consolidation, and near-mine expansion prospects that improve economics while reducing capital intensity and operational risk.

Lahontan Gold (TSX.V: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF) is positioned strategically to capitalize on this rapidly evolving ecosystem. The company’s flagship Santa Fe Mine project in Nevada’s Walker Lane already benefits from established infrastructure, historical production, and strong development potential. Now, the company is expanding its growth strategy by advancing nearby targets that can improve the overall value of the project while also strengthening long-term production optionality.

A key example is the West Santa Fe project, located just 13 kilometers from the main Santa Fe Mine project. This proximity is strategically important because it creates significant opportunities for West Santa Fe to operate as a satellite deposit, leveraging existing infrastructure, centralized processing, and lower transport costs. In today’s market, these advantages are more attractive to investors looking for capital-efficient gold development stories.

Recent drilling results continue to buttress this thesis. Lahontan has confirmed extensive mineralization at West Santa Fe, with a significant footprint measuring about 500 meters by 350 meters. This indicates that the target could represent much more than an isolated exploration and instead become a meaningful resource extension capable of supporting district-scale development.

Lahontan’s flagship 26.4 km² Santa Fe Mine project previously produced about 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 through open-pit mining and heap-leach processing. With this historical production, the company now possesses a solid operational basis. At the same time, exploration success at nearby targets like West Santa Fe offers a clear pathway to expand the project’s economic potential without the same capital burden as greenfield development.

Lahontan currently operates through its American subsidiaries and controls four top-tier silver and gold exploration properties in the mining-rich state of Nevada. The company’s strategy highlights an industry trend: maximizing value by building on proven assets rather than relying solely on new, standalone discoveries. With majors and mid-tier producers increasingly seeking district consolidation opportunities, companies with expandable land packages and infrastructure-linked deposits are attracting greater market attention.

These updates highlight the company’s broader mission: to unlock long-term shareholder value through disciplined exploration, strategic resource expansion, and scalable project development in one of North America’s premier mining jurisdictions. The company’s focus on satellite deposit growth at West Santa Fe perfectly aligns with the market’s growing preference for efficient, infrastructure-supported development models.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LahontanGoldCorp.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LGCXF are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/LGCXF

Disseminated on behalf of LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) and may include paid advertising.

• Junior Canadian near-term gold developer LaFleur Minerals is preparing to restart operations at its Beacon Gold Mill in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt, starting with a bulk sample from the company’s nearby Swanson Gold Project in Quebec
• LaFleur is strengthening its readiness to begin production by entering into a term sheet with Trafigura Canada Limited that will provide agreements for a prepayment financing facility and gold doré purchase
• The Beacon Gold Mill will restart gold production operations in the next quarter, processing 750 metric tons per day (“TPD”) at first but building toward a 1,250 TPD target
• The Swanson Gold Project is strategically located near the Beacon Gold Mill with easy access, and is within a 20-minute drive of the town of Val d’Or, Quebec, where technical resources and skilled labor for the industry are located

LaFleur Minerals (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) has received terms for an up-to-C$30 million prepayment financing facility and gold doré purchase agreement from one of the world’s largest independent physical commodity trading companies that helps to secure commercial production and restart capital for its Beacon Gold Mill, expected to begin next quarter, in the prolific Abitibi Gold Belt of eastern Canada. 

The agreements with Trafigura Canada Limited or one of its affiliates, subject to definitive documentation, due diligence and closing conditions, mean that LaFleur has the underpinnings for the mill’s planned ramp-up from 750 metric tons per day (“TPD”) in its first anticipated gold pour to the company’s 1,250 TPD target. These terms mark a significant step toward advancing the company’s processing and production strategy, as Trafigura is also granted right of first refusal to participate in future funding for a potential Beacon Gold Mill expansion to 3,000–4,000 tpd, as outlined in LaFleur’s recently completed positive PEA (refer to press release dated March 3, 2026).

The non-dilutive credit agreement also benefits LaFleur’s efforts to advance development of its nearby Swanson Gold Deposit, part of the company’s 192-square-kilometer Swanson Project. 

“The last quarter has been an extremely busy time full of major developments for LaFleur and also a run in the price of gold from the US$4,000 range in 2025, to a high of US$5,400 and now volatile trading in the US$4,500-$5,000/ounce range,” LaFleur CEO and Director Paul Ténière stated in the company’s April 15 announcement of the agreements (https://ibn.fm/4DJAL). “Our Preliminary Economic Assessment is based on an AISC of US$1,569/oz gold and calculated on a base case $2,750/oz gold, with compelling economics outlining an after-tax IRR of 65% and C$101 million NPV (5%), which has attracted several serious well established investment groups.”

Under the term sheet for the proposed prepayment facility, Trafigura will deliver a first tranche of C$15 million and LaFleur will grant Trafigura a right of first refusal on subsequent funding as the company pursues additional Beacon Gold Mill upgrades to add circuits and greater capacity. 

LaFleur’s project is located within a 20-minute drive of the town of Val d’Or, Quebec, an established base for skilled labor and other pertinent resources for sustaining the numerous mineral exploration efforts throughout the Abitibi region. 

The Abitibi greenstone belt is an unrivaled source of gold production, accounting for more than 300 million ounces when historic and current reserves are factored together (https://ibn.fm/KqqJW). LaFleur has employed strategic acquisitions and experienced management to protect shareholder value through efficient financing, and the gold market’s recent prosperity has only increased the company’s overall prospects. 

The company also has been in talks with rail officials to improve transit between the project and the Beacon Gold Mill, proposing a new spur that would extend directly from the rail line running crossing the property to the mill. 

LaFleur also anticipates the potential of additional open-pit gold recovery across the length of the Swanson Project, which includes 445 mineral claims and one mining lease. Diamond drilling intercepts have shown some findings of 2.05 g/t Au over 158.25 meters, with narrow high-grade results including 121.0 g/t Au over 1.1 meters.

For more information, visit the company’s website at LaFleurMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LFLRF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LFLRF

Qualified Person Statement:

All scientific and technical information contained in this article has been reviewed and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo. (OGQ), Exploration Manager and Technical Advisor of the company and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

Disseminated on behalf of Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) and may include paid advertising.

• Arctic ranks among the highest-grade undeveloped open-pittable copper deposits in the world, with an estimated average grade of approximately 5% copper equivalent, supported by meaningful precious-metals byproduct credits.
• Ambler Metals, the 50/50 joint venture between Trilogy Metals and South32, has submitted a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit application and plans to pursue FAST-41 coverage to streamline federal review.
• An independent economic impact study projects up to 870 statewide jobs, approximately $31.3 million in annual Alaska state taxes and fees, and major cost-of-living reductions for remote Alaska Native communities.

Domestic copper demand keeps climbing on the back of electrification, grid expansion, data center development, and defense applications. Domestic supply has not kept pace. At the same time, permitting timelines for major new U.S. mines routinely stretch beyond a decade, shrinking the pipeline of viable near-term projects. Against that backdrop, Trilogy Metals (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) has reached a significant milestone at its flagship Arctic Project in Alaska’s Ambler Mining District.

On April 21, 2026, the company announced that Ambler Metals LLC, its 50/50 joint venture with South32 Limited, has officially commenced federal permitting for the Arctic Project, one of the highest-grade undeveloped open-pittable copper deposits in the world.

Grade That Changes Conversation

Most operating copper mines globally produce ore grading between 0.4% and 0.7% copper. Arctic’s estimated average grade of approximately 5% copper equivalent puts it in a completely different category.

The deposit is open-pittable and polymetallic, containing copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver, with meaningful precious-metals byproduct credits that strengthen project economics. That combination matters because grade often determines whether a project remains viable when capital costs, inflation, and permitting delays begin to pressure margins.

CEO Tony Giardini framed the bigger picture clearly, describing Arctic as “just the first phase for this multi-generational American mining district” with 30 known volcanogenic massive sulfide occurrences across the broader mineral belt.

That district-scale opportunity sits within the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“UKMP”), a 190,929-hectare land package in northwestern Alaska. In addition to Arctic, the joint venture controls the Bornite copper-cobalt deposit located approximately 15 miles to the southwest. Bornite alone is forecast to produce 1.9 billion pounds of copper over a 17-year mine life and could extend district mining activity beyond 30 years.

A Cleaner Federal Permitting Path

Ambler Metals has submitted an application for a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, formally initiating federal permitting for mine development and operations at Arctic.

That matters because all other major permits for the project are issued at the state and local levels, concentrating federal review into a single, clearly defined process rather than a fragmented maze of overlapping agencies.

Ambler Metals also intends to request eligibility review under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, better known as FAST-41. If approved, the program would provide an integrated permitting timetable, stronger inter-agency coordination, and public transparency through the federal Permitting Dashboard.

In practical terms, FAST-41 could remove one of the biggest risks attached to large-scale U.S. mining projects: uncertainty around timeline and process. Predictability matters just as much as approval when capital decisions are being made.

Permitting is not just regulatory. It is social.

An independent economic impact analysis prepared by McKinley Research Group quantified what Arctic could mean for Alaska and the Northwest Arctic region. Operations are expected to directly create approximately 430 jobs paying $60.2 million in annual wages, while supporting approximately 870 total statewide jobs and nearly $90 million in annual wages when indirect and induced effects are included.

Construction would average 500 direct workers annually over a three-year period, with cumulative direct wages of approximately $160 million.

The agreement with NANA Regional Corporation may be the more strategically important piece. NANA is entitled to a 1% net smelter royalty estimated at approximately $85.7 million over mine life and retains the option to acquire a 16% to 25% direct interest in Arctic, or alternatively receive a 15% net proceeds royalty estimated between $400 million and $570 million cumulatively.

Approximately 230 NANA shareholders are expected to be employed annually under a preferential hiring framework.

The Ambler Access Project road adds another layer. Construction of the road connecting the Ambler Mining District to the Dalton Highway, together with spur road connections, is projected to reduce transportation costs for nearby villages by up to $3.4 million annually, lower heating fuel transportation costs by as much as 70% and reduce the cost of building a single-family home in the Upper Kobuk region by nearly 40%.

A Fully Funded Field Season Built for Decision-Making

The 2026 field season is planned to commence in May and is fully financed through Ambler Metals’ $35 million budget.

The program includes 40 to 45 drill holes and at least 5,650 meters of drilling, focused primarily on geotechnical and hydrogeological work needed to support final mine design and permitting. Some holes will also test deeper exploration targets along the Arctic mineral horizon, including airborne electromagnetic anomalies that may indicate additional VMS mineralization within 2 to 2.5 miles of the existing deposit.

At Bornite, the company is re-establishing camp infrastructure ahead of accelerated exploration planned for 2027, while district-wide target assessments continue across the broader 60-mile VMS belt.

For a project of this grade, scale, and level of economic impact, the next twelve months may be the most important in its development history.

Arctic is no longer just a high-grade deposit on paper. It is now moving through the system that determines whether critical mineral projects in the United States get built.

For more information, visit www.TrilogyMetals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Trilogy Metals are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/TMQ

Disseminated on behalf of SPARC AI Inc. (CSE: SPAI) (OTCQB: SPAIF)and may include paid advertising.

• SPARC AI’s strategy in Ukraine is to build a resilient and broad distribution network by partnering with drone manufacturers, as well as groups that hold relationships with defense end-users.
• This direct in-market presence creates multiple reinforcing channels for Overwatch adoption in the world’s most operationally relevant electronic warfare environment.

SPARC AI (CSE: SPAI) (OTCQB: SPAIF), a developer of next-generation GPS-free target acquisition systems and autonomous navigation software, recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with a member of the Ukrainian National Guard responsible for drone pilot training.

The partnership marks a further expansion of SPARC’s distribution footprint in Ukraine and strengthens the company’s direct engagement with frontline operators actively involved in drone warfare and training. It also establishes an additional channel for the deployment of SPARC’s Overwatch platform, complementing existing relationships with drone manufacturers and OEM partners.

More broadly, the initiative reflects SPARC’s strategic approach in Ukraine: building a diversified and resilient distribution network that spans both hardware manufacturers and end-user military operators. By doing so, the company aims to accelerate the integration of its Overwatch software across multiple drone platforms, positioning it as foundational infrastructure within the evolving battlefield drone ecosystem.

To accelerate this expansion, SPARC AI has transitioned its previously appointed local agent into a full-time role. The agent brings established relationships across both Ukraine’s defence community and its domestic drone manufacturing base, providing the company with direct access to key decision-makers on both the production and operational sides of the sector. This dual-channel approach combines the scalability of an OEM distribution model with the immediacy of a direct in-market presence, creating multiple reinforcing pathways for Overwatch adoption within one of the world’s most active electronic warfare environments.

Taken together, SPARC’s approach combines an OEM-focused distribution model with an embedded in-market presence. This dual-channel strategy is designed to reinforce adoption pathways for Overwatch within one of the world’s most active and rapidly evolving modern warfare environments, where drone technology continues to play an increasingly central operational role.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://sparcai.co.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPAIF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SPAIF

• American Fusion(TM) has appointed a government procurement advisor to expand access to non-dilutive funding channels, prioritizing defense, DOE, and international programs as early commercialization pathways.
• The company’s Texatron(TM) platform is being positioned for modular, infrastructure-grade applications, with government alignment reflecting a wider trend in fusion toward staged, program-based development.
• Institutional contracts may offer structured revenue opportunities before full-scale deployment.
• Engagement with NATO-linked and European programs signals a broader international strategy.

American Fusion(TM) (OTC: AMFN), a developer of next-generation fusion energy technologies recently announced it has engaged Samuel Reid as Government Strategy and Procurement Advisor, a step aimed at aligning its technology platform with procurement frameworks across defense, energy, and international agencies (https://ibn.fm/SK4CN).

Reid brings experience in multi-agency procurement systems, including work with NATO-affiliated organizations and the Canadian Department of National Defence. His background in structured contracting environments positions American Fusion(TM) to engage with programs where funding is tied to defined milestones, compliance standards, and long-term deployment objectives. For investors, this signals a shift from purely technical development toward institutional integration.

The strategy reflects a broader reality in the fusion sector. While commercial-scale fusion power remains under development, government programs, particularly those linked to national energy security and defense, have become a primary avenue for early funding and validation. These programs often provide non-dilutive capital, reducing reliance on equity markets while offering pathways to long-term contracts.

American Fusion(TM) appears to be aligning with this model. Management has indicated that U.S. Department of Energy programs, including public-private partnerships and lab-access initiatives, are central to its near-term engagement strategy. These programs are designed to support private-sector innovation while maintaining government oversight on critical technologies.

In parallel, the company is evaluating opportunities within defense procurement channels. Fusion-related technologies, even at an early stage, may have applications in resilient power systems, advanced materials, and energy infrastructure for military use. These areas are typically funded through structured procurement cycles, offering predictable frameworks for companies that can meet technical and regulatory requirements.

American Fusion(TM) is also extending its reach internationally. The company is evaluating opportunities within the European fusion ecosystem, including programs associated with ITER and related supply chains. Participation in such initiatives can provide access to engineering partnerships and procurement pipelines that are otherwise difficult to establish independently.

At the center of the company’s strategy is its Texatron(TM) platform, developed through its subsidiary, Kepler Fusion Technologies. The system is designed with a modular architecture, allowing deployment in standardized units that can scale over time. While still in development, this approach is intended to align with infrastructure planning models used by utilities and industrial operators.

According to company disclosures, Kepler is currently working on multiple system configurations, including a 5-megawatt demonstration unit and a 100-megawatt design that underpins its commercial roadmap. The modular concept allows capacity to be built incrementally: ten 100-MW units, for example, would equate to one gigawatt of generation.

The emphasis on modularity and institutional alignment is notable. Fusion remains a technically complex and capital-intensive field, with long development timelines. Companies that can integrate into existing procurement and funding ecosystems may be better positioned to manage these constraints.

Reid’s appointment is therefore less about immediate revenue and more about positioning. Government contracts, even at smaller scales, can provide validation, funding continuity, and access to infrastructure. They also tend to be less dilutive than traditional equity financing, a factor that can be material for early-stage companies.

The defense angle adds another layer. Energy resilience has become a priority for military and national security planning, particularly in scenarios where grid access is limited or unreliable. Fusion technologies, if successfully developed, could offer long-duration, high-density power in such contexts.

“The most immediate opportunity for companies operating in advanced energy is not large-scale deployment, but integration into existing government and institutional frameworks. The current landscape across Department of Energy programs, defense research channels, and international fusion initiatives is structured around enabling technologies, infrastructure development, and staged commercialization,” Reid said. “The focus is on positioning capabilities within those frameworks in a way that aligns with how funding and procurement decisions are actually made.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.AmericanFusionEnergy.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to AMFN are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/AMFN

Disseminated on behalf of Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) (OTCQB: NOPFF)and may include paid advertising.

• The company has begun its 2026 exploration program at the Murdock Mountain Phosphate Project in northeastern Nevada after completing required wildlife and sage-grouse surveys.
• The company is preparing additional drill pads to expand understanding of the phosphate zone’s strike extent, thickness, continuity and grade characteristics.
• Murdock Mountain is a shallow-dipping, road-accessible sedimentary phosphate target zone that could support direct-application organic fertilizer production without chemical processing.
• Tightening global fertilizer supply, including LPG disruptions linked to instability in the Persian Gulf, may increase interest in phosphate projects that do not rely heavily on fossil-fuel-based inputs.
• Nevada Organic Phosphate is targeting the broader U.S. agricultural market, particularly the growing organic and regenerative farming sectors.

Nevada Organic Phosphate (CSE: NOP) (OTCQB: NOPFF), a B.C.-based leader in organic sedimentary phosphate exploration, is moving forward with its 2026 drill campaign at the Murdock Mountain Phosphate Project in northeastern Nevada, as the company seeks to advance one of the few known large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate target zones in North America.

The company announced on April 13 that all required wildlife and sage-grouse lek pre-clearance surveys tied to its exploration permit have been completed without issue, allowing site preparation to continue. The bulldozer contractor has returned to complete the remaining drill pads, after which drilling will resume to evaluate the strike extent, lateral continuity, thickness and grade of the phosphate zone exposed across the project area (https://ibn.fm/xz9TR).

Chief Executive Officer Robin Dow said maintaining schedule discipline remains central as the company advances the project toward its next technical milestones.

“Successful exploration requires multiple planning elements to align, and our team has excelled,” Director Garry Smith said, noting that the company secured a new drilling contractor, engaged a new environmental consultant and coordinated contractor mobilization under tight timelines.

The Murdock Mountain Project hosts a shallow-dipping sedimentary phosphate horizon with road access and proximity to transportation infrastructure, including the main highway to Montello and Elko, Nevada, as well as rail connections serving California and the East Coast.

That logistical advantage matters because Nevada Organic Phosphate’s business model is built around direct-ship raw rock phosphate rather than conventional chemically processed fertilizer inputs. Unlike traditional phosphate fertilizer production, which often depends on significant chemical treatment and fossil-fuel-intensive processing, the company’s product is designed for direct application to farmland after basic mining, grinding and bagging.

This approach aligns with the growing regenerative agriculture movement in the United States, where farmers increasingly seek reactive phosphate inputs rather than highly soluble chemical fertilizers. 

The company says its Murdock project contains a 6.6-kilometre phosphate bed, with additional applications extending the potential strike to more than 30 kilometres. Rather than focusing on conventional fertilizer markets, management is targeting the estimated $35 billion North American organic food sector, where demand for certified organic farming inputs continues to rise.

The economics of that strategy may become more relevant as global fertilizer supply chains face renewed strain. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf, including attacks affecting important LPG-linked infrastructure, have added pressure to fertilizer production markets that rely on liquefied petroleum gas and other fossil fuel inputs. LPG remains an important feedstock and energy source across parts of global fertilizer manufacturing, particularly for nitrogen and processed phosphate supply chains.

When energy-linked fertilizer inputs become more constrained or expensive, alternatives that require less industrial processing can become more attractive to both distributors and growers. That could support interest in companies like Nevada Organic Phosphate, whose phosphate model depends less on downstream chemical conversion and more on direct agricultural use.

The company highlights additional target areas beyond Murdock that could materially expand its long-term phosphate footprint in Nevada, though management remains focused on current drilling and geological definition. This year’s drilling is intended to extend the geological model established by 2025 core sampling, refine structural controls and improve confidence in the continuity of the phosphate-bearing zone.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NevadaPhosphate.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NOP are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NOP

Disseminated on behalf of ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF)and may include paid advertising.

• ESGold Corp., a development-stage company committed to the acquisition, exploration, and development of high-quality mineral properties worldwide, remains bullish about the 2026 gold prices
• After an ongoing series of ups-and-downs, by mid-April the price of gold had worked its way past $4,840 per troy ounce to new all-time highs
• Some analysts have now projected that the price could hit $6,000/oz later in the year, mainly driven by geopolitical issues and continuing economic uncertainty
• ESGold expects to capitalize on this growth, accelerating development of its flagship Montauban project toward production
• It recently closed a C$7.2 million offering from the sale of 10,683,000 shares of the company, and looks to direct these proceeds to the development of this property

ESGold (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF), a development-stage company committed to acquiring, exploring, and developing high-quality mineral properties worldwide, remains bullish about gold prices in 2026. Its management firmly believes that the precious metal will continue to grow in appeal as a safe alternative investment, particularly given the unavoidable factors driving up its price, including but not limited to unending geopolitical and debt issues feeding growing economic uncertainty.

Thus far, these factors have, despite unavoidable volatility, driven up gold prices to increasing all-time highs. By mid-April, the precious metal, for the first time in history, surpassed $4,840 per troy ounce, with some experts projecting that it could reach $6,000 at some point in 2026. In a report published by J.P. Morgan in December 2025, it was projected that prices would rise toward $5,000/oz by Q4 2026 and toward $6,000/oz in the longer term. This has been accelerated by geopolitical issues, which have increased economic uncertainties already fueled by rising worldwide debt (https://ibn.fm/Yj7yu).

“While this rally in gold has not, and will not, be linier, we believe the trends driving this rebasing higher in gold prices are not exhausted,” noted Natasha Kaneva, head of Global Commodities Strategy at J.P. Morgan.

“The long-term trend of official reserve and investor diversification into gold has further to run,” she added (https://ibn.fm/Yj7yu).

To capitalize on this growth, ESGold has embarked on developing its Montauban flagship project. As a past—producing mine, the property is yet to be fully explored, and its potential is yet to be fully tapped. While speaking on an episode of The MiningNewsWire Podcast, Gordon Robb, ESGold’s CEO, noted how the company is in such an opportune time and how it has positioned itself to take advantage of this growing market.

“This is a past-producing mine that produced for well over 100 years with very limited property-wide exploration….That leaves us with a very exciting opportunity, because this is a known mine that has never had modern exploration techniques applied across the entire property,” he noted. “2026 is a very big year for us. We have secured all our equipment…We’re currently building out our facility at a very fast pace. We’re aiming to be in operations this year, coupled with our maiden drill campaign kicking off. I can confidently say for myself and my team, there’s not a lot of sleep going on, but this is a very exciting period for us as we move quickly toward these major milestones,” he added (https://ibn.fm/7XMlZ).

Mr. Robb’s statement follows ESGold’s recent close of a C$7.2 million offering, in which the company sold 10,683,000 units at C$0.68 per unit. These proceeds will accelerate the company’s plans going forward, especially given that it has a million metric tons of material on the surface of its Montauban property that needs to be processed (https://ibn.fm/9yj28).

“We have a million metric tons of material on surface that needs to be processed, and we’re currently building out our facility so we’re operational and generating cash flow while simultaneously expanding the exploration package,” Robb noted (https://ibn.fm/7XMlZ).

For company information, visit the company’s website at www.ESGold.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ESAUF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ESAUF

Voice Analytics and AI to Transform Drug and Alcohol Testing

Disseminated on behalf of MindBio Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: MBIO) (OTCQB: MBQIF)and may include paid advertising.

• MindBio Therapeutics is developing AI-driven voice analysis technology to detect drug and alcohol impairment without relying on invasive and time-consuming breath, saliva, or laboratory testing.
• The company’s platform analyzes more than 140 acoustic markers and is trained on over 50 million data points to estimate intoxication levels from short voice samples.
• The new technology is seen applicable to both workplace and non-workplace settings, with the global alcohol and drug testing devices market projected to grow from $2.5 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion by 2033, reflecting rising safety requirements and stricter regulatory oversight.
• Mining is MindBio’s initial commercial focus, particularly in South America, where large workforces and high-risk operating environments create demand for rapid impairment screening, with other areas of application including aviation, construction, call centers, law enforcement, and mental health settings where high-volume screening is expensive and time consuming.

The market for workplace drug and alcohol detection is expanding as employers face increasing pressure to improve safety while reducing the cost and friction of traditional testing methods. This creates a unique opportunity for companies attempting to modernize a process that remains heavily dependent on breathalyzers, urine testing, and laboratory analysis.

MindBio Therapeutics (CSE: MBIO) (OTCQB: MBQIF), a biotechnology company, is positioning itself in that space with an alternative approach: using artificial intelligence and voice analytics to estimate drug and alcohol intoxication levels from short speech samples. The company has spent several years conducting drug and alcohol research while developing machine learning models designed to detect impairment through speech. Rather than relying on physical samples such as breath, saliva, or blood, the system analyzes voice patterns captured through a standard microphone.

Management says the platform evaluates more than 140 acoustic parameters and has been trained using a dataset exceeding 50 million data points. The goal is to identify measurable speech changes associated with intoxication and deliver a rapid assessment in real time.

Traditional workplace testing is often expensive, disruptive, and difficult to scale. In industries with thousands of workers entering safety-sensitive environments every day, routine alcohol and drug testing can create operational bottlenecks and significant administrative costs. This is particularly relevant in mining, aviation, construction, and transportation, where regulators often require formal testing protocols and where a single impairment-related incident can carry serious human and financial consequences.

According to market research published by Data Insights Market, the global alcohol and drug testing devices market is expected to grow from approximately $2.5 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion by 2033, representing a 7% compound annual growth rate. (https://ibn.fm/0dkYp). That growth is being driven by stricter workplace compliance rules, increasing concerns around substance misuse, and wider adoption of point-of-care testing that allows immediate results rather than delayed laboratory reporting.

Portable and handheld systems are gaining share because employers increasingly want testing solutions that can be used in remote locations or high-volume environments. This trend aligns with MindBio’s development of Edge AI kiosks intended for industrial deployment.

The proposed use case is simple. A worker arriving at a mine site, construction project, or industrial facility would provide a short voice sample at an entry point kiosk. The system would then analyze the recording and flag indicators of alcohol or drug impairment almost immediately. This could reduce dependence on invasive testing procedures and allow management to screen larger workforces more efficiently. It may also help address one of the persistent limitations of conventional testing: the balance between compliance and productivity.

MindBio’s initial commercial focus has been on the mining industry, particularly operations in South America. These sites often involve remote locations, rotating workforces, and high-risk physical tasks where fatigue, impairment, and human error can create outsized operational risks.

The company has indicated that field testing of its kiosk systems is expected during the second quarter of 2026. If successful, that could provide an important commercial validation point for investors assessing whether the technology can move beyond development and into enterprise adoption.

The opportunity, however, extends beyond mining. Management has identified call centers, law enforcement, and mental health settings as additional target markets, alongside regulated sectors such as aviation and construction. In these environments, high-volume screening can be difficult to administer using traditional methods.

Call centers, for example, face challenges related not only to alcohol and drug use but also to fatigue, stress, and mental wellness. Voice analytics may provide employers with another operational tool where speech is already central to the work environment. Law enforcement agencies and mental health services may also benefit from rapid, non-invasive assessment tools where behavioral indicators matter but immediate laboratory testing is impractical.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.MindBioTherapeutics.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MBQIF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MBQIF